Filtered exhuast conduits for organic debris collection devices

ABSTRACT

A filtered exhaust conduit is provided. The conduit includes an intake end, an exit end, a curved section, a vent, and a filter device. The intake end is connectable to a blower unit, while the exit end is connectable to a debris collector container. The curved section extends between and joins the intake end and the exit end. The vent is between the intake end and the exit end and is positioned through a lower inner wall of the filtered exhaust conduit. The filter device is removably secured over the vent to form a substantially air tight fit on the vent. An organic debris collection device having the filtered exhaust conduit is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure is related to organic debris collection devices.More particularly, the present disclosure is related to organic debriscollection devices having filtered exhaust conduits.

2. Description of Related Art

The collection of leaves, grass clippings and other organic debris fromlawn mowers into either fabric and/or rigid collector bags is wellknown. In order to keep the air stream and any debris entrained thereinmoving, the collector bags are often provided with a vent for thehigh-velocity air.

In lawnmowers that employ collector bags, this is commonly done by usinga bag of porous weave that permits the air to escape through the fabric.However, as the bag fills up, the pores become clogged with debris,which substantially blocks the air flow and greatly reduces the vacuumeffect, sometimes reducing it to near zero. In addition, when suchfabric bags become clogged, they are subjected to high internal pressurefrom the blower air stream. If the blower is very powerful, the bag canrip apart at the seams.

If the weave of the bag is made larger to avoid clogging, a greatquantity of organic debris material is lost through the mesh, and theequipment operator may be exposed to quantities of choking dust anddebris particles. Furthermore, the higher air pressure inside the bagtends to “press” the leaves, grass and other debris against the insideof the mesh, effectively blocking the airflow and reducing the vacuumeffect.

Additionally, the exhausted fine debris can remain in the air for sometime, causing the operator to have an obstructed view and/or difficultybreathing. Additionally, the exhausted debris can redeposit itself onthe surface being cleaned such that a less than optimal cleaning resultis obtained.

Accordingly, it has been determined that there is a need for exhaustvents that overcome, alleviate, and/or mitigate one or more of thedeleterious effects of prior art collection devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A filtered exhaust conduit is provided. The conduit includes an intakeend, an exit end, a curved section, a vent, and a filter device. Theintake end is connectable to a blower unit, while the exit end isconnectable to a debris collector container. The curved section extendsbetween and joins the intake end and the exit end. The vent is betweenthe intake end and the exit end and is positioned through a lower innerwall of the filtered exhaust conduit. The filter device is removablysecured over the vent to form a substantially air tight fit on the vent.

An organic debris collection device is also provided. The collectiondevice includes a blower unit, a debris collector container, an exhaustconduit, a vent, and a filter device. The exhaust conduit has an intakeend connected to the blower unit and an exit end connected to the debriscollector container. The vent is between the intake end and the exit endand is positioned through a lower inner wall of the exhaust conduit. Thefilter device is removably secured over the vent to form a substantiallyair tight fit on the vent.

The above-described and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anorganic debris collector having a filtered exhaust conduit according tothe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, showingflow paths in the filtered exhaust conduit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an cross-sectional view of the filtered exhaust conduit ofFIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the filter device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an alternate exemplary embodimentof a filter device according to the present disclosure in use with acurved exhaust conduits; and

FIG. 6 illustrates another alternate exemplary embodiment of a filteredexhaust conduit according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3, anexemplary embodiment of a filtered exhaust conduit 10 is shown. Filteredexhaust conduit 10 is shown in use with an organic debris collectiondevice such as that shown and described in Applicants own U.S. Pat. No.6,029,312, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.Advantageously, exhaust conduit 10 of the present disclosure includes afilter device 22 so that the conduit is configured to separate debris intwo stages. More particularly, exhaust conduit 10 separates the majorityof debris via centrifugal force, while vent device separates a minorityof smaller or fine debris remaining entrained in the vented air.

Generally, organic debris collection device includes a blower unit 12and a collector container 14, where exhaust conduit 10 places the blowerunit in fluid communication with the collector container. Asillustrated, blower unit 12 and collector container 14 are secured toframe 16 in a known manner so that the organic debris collection devicecan be selectively secured to a lawn tractor (not shown). During use,blower unit 12 draws in lawn debris expelled from a mower deck (notshown) through an intake conduit 18 and forces the debris into collectorcontainer 14 through filtered exhaust conduit 10.

Conduit 10 is, preferably, a curved exhaust conduit that vents highpressure air as described in Applicants own U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,375, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In theillustrated embodiment, conduit 10 includes a pair of oppositelydirected exhaust vents 20. Of course, other embodiments of curvedexhaust conduits that vent high pressure air through a lower inner wallof the filtered exhaust conduit.

Advantageously, conduit 10 includes a filter device 22 disposed at vents20. It has been determined that vents 20 reduce back-pressure withincollector container 14, while filter device 22 captures minute and/orfine debris that remains entrained in the vented air withoutsubstantially increasing the back-pressure within the collectorcontainer 14. In this manner, conduit 10 minimizes scattering of theminute and/or fine debris to improve the visibility and comfort of theoperator, as well preventing the debris from being re-deposited on thesurface being cleaned.

Exhaust conduit 10 is illustrated may have any desired cross-sectionalshape. For example, conduit 10 is illustrated having a generally squarecross-section at lower intake end 24 a generally round cross-section atupper exit end 26. Lower end 24 includes one or more connecting devices28 for removably attaching conduit 10 in its operative position toblower unit 12. Similarly, upper end 26 includes one or more connectingdevices 28 for removably attaching conduit 10 in its operative positionto collector container 14.

Exhaust conduit 10 further includes a curved section 30 extendingbetween and joining the lower and upper ends 24, 26. Curved section 30preferably has a sector angle of between about 40 to about 90 degreesand any subranges therebetween, more preferably about 75 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 2, blower unit 12 forces air having debris entrainedtherein through conduit 10. The curvature of curved section 30 forceslarge debris 32, due to centrifugal force, towards upper inner wall 34of conduit 10 and into collector container 14. With this arrangement ithas been determined that it is possible to completely fill any type ofcollector container 14 such as a closed rigid container, a closed softcontainer, a vented rigid container, a vented soft container, and anycombinations thereof. Further, the curvature of curved section 20 allowsvented air 36, having minute debris particles entrained therein, to exitthrough vents 20 positioned through a lower inner wall 38 of conduit 10.In this manner, conduit 10 filters debris in two stages, the first stagebeing provided by the curvature of the conduit and the second stagebeing provided by filter device 22.

Advantageously, it has now been determined by the present disclosurethat the minute debris exiting through vents 20 can be filtered orremoved from the air without adversely effecting the flow of materialthrough conduit 10 and into collector container 14.

Accordingly, conduit 10 includes filter device 22 at vents 20 to furtherfilter the minute debris particles from vented air 36. In theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, filter device 22 can include abag filter 40 secured over each vent 20. Bag filters 40 can be formed ofa porous woven or non-woven material so that minute particles 42 arecaptured by the bag filters, while cleaned air 44 passes through the bagfilters.

Bag filters 40 can be operatively secured to conduit 10 over vents 20 inany desired manner so that the bags can be removed, emptied of theircontents, and replaced.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, each bag filter 40 is secured to conduit 10via a band clamp 46. Band clamp 46 can selectively secure bag filter toconduit 10 over vents 20 in a substantially airtight manner.

Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for filterdevice 22 to secure bag filters 40 to conduit 10 in any mannersufficient to form a substantially airtight fit and sufficient to allowthe bag filters to be removed, cleaned, and replaced.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, filter device 22 includes two bag filters40 secured to one another by one or more elastic elements 48 (twoshown). During installation, one bag filter 40 is placed on conduit 10over one vent 20. Then, elements 48 are stretched until the other bagfilter 40 can be placed on conduit 10 over the other vent 20 and, oncein place, the elements 48 are released so that the bag filters aremaintained by the elasticity of elements 48 in the desired position.Preferably, each bag filter 40 in this embodiment further includes aneck area 50 for maintaining a substantially airtight fit over vents 20.In some embodiments, neck area 50 can be an elastically biased memberthat forms the substantially airtight connection with vents 20.

The porosity of bag filters 40 can be dependent upon various conditionssuch as the state of the debris being collected. For example during wetconditions, it may be desirable for bag filters 40 to have a largeporosity, while during dry conditions it may be desirable for bagfilters 40 to have a small porosity.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, filter device 22 includes a single bagfilter 40 having a generally rectangular shape having a pair of neckareas (not shown). During installation, bag filter 40 is placed onconduit 10 so that the bag filter covers both vents 20 (only one shownin phantom). More particularly, bag filter 40 is placed on conduit 10 sothat one neck are is over each of the vents 20. Preferably, each neckarea of bag filter 40 is configured to maintain a substantially airtightfit over vents 20. In some embodiments, the neck areas can include anelastically biased member that forms the substantially airtightconnection with vents 20.

It should be recognized that conduit 10 is described above by way ofexample having filter device 22 formed of one or more bag filters 40. Ofcourse, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for conduit 10 tohave any filter device 22 that can remove particles 42 from vented air36.

For example, an alternate embodiment of conduit 10 is illustrated inFIG. 6, in which the conduit includes filter device 22 having a cycloneseparator 52 at each vent 20. Cyclone separators 52 are configured toform a whirling air current 54 from vented air 36 so that the particles42 are separated from the air via centrifugal force in a known manner.Cyclone separator 52 includes a collection container 56 for collectingthe separated particles 42 and an outlet pipe 58 for venting cleaned air44. Preferably, collection container 56 is removably secured to cycloneseparator 52 so that the container can be removed, emptied of itscontents, and replaced.

In some embodiments, collection container 56 can be made of atransparent or translucent material so that the operator can determinewhen the container is full. Moreover, it has been determined that oncecollector container 14 is full so that debris 32 can no longer flow intothe collector, the debris 32 begins to back-up in conduit 10 and finallyinto filter device 22. In the embodiment where, collection container 56can be made of a transparent or translucent, the operator can detectwhen collector container 14 is full by merely monitoring the state ofthe debris in the collection container.

It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”,“upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify variouselements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, orhierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one ormore exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapta particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosurewithout departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended thatthe present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s)disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure willinclude all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A filtered exhaust conduit comprising: an intake end connectable to ablower unit; an exit end connectable to a debris collector container; acurved section extending between and joining said intake end and saidexit end; a vent between said intake end and said exit end, said ventbeing positioned through a lower inner wall of the filtered exhaustconduit; and a filter device removably secured over said vent to form asubstantially air tight fit on said vent.
 2. The filtered exhaustconduit of claim 1, wherein said filter device comprises a filter bag.3. The filtered exhaust conduit of claim 2, wherein said filter bagcomprises a neck area for maintaining said substantially airtight fit.4. The filtered exhaust conduit of claim 1, wherein said filter devicecomprises a cyclone separator.
 5. The filtered exhaust conduit of claim4, wherein said cyclone separator comprises a collection container forcollecting separated particles and an outlet pipe for venting cleanedair.
 6. The filtered exhaust conduit of claim 5, wherein said collectioncontainer is removably secured to said cyclone separator.
 7. Thefiltered exhaust conduit of claim 5, wherein said collection containeris made of a transparent or translucent material.
 8. The filteredexhaust conduit of claim 1, wherein said vent comprises a pair ofoppositely directed exhaust vents.
 9. The filtered exhaust conduit ofclaim 8, wherein said filter device comprises a single filter bag havinga pair of neck areas, each of said pair of necl areas being removablysecured over a respective one of said pair of exhaust vents.
 10. Thefiltered exhaust conduit of claim 8, wherein said filter devicecomprises a pair of filter bags, each of said pair of filter bags beingremovably secured over a respective one of said pair of exhaust vents.11. The filtered exhaust conduit of claim 10, wherein said filter devicefurther comprises one or more elastic members securing said pair offilter bags to one another.
 12. The filtered exhaust conduit of claim 8,wherein said filter device comprises a cyclone separator positioned ateach of said pair of exhaust vents.
 13. The filtered exhaust conduit ofclaim 12, wherein said cyclone separators each comprise a collectioncontainer removably secured to said cyclone separator.
 14. The filteredexhaust conduit of claim 13, wherein, said collection container is madeof a transparent or translucent material.
 15. The filtered exhaustconduit of claim 1, wherein said curved section has a sector angle ofabout 75 degrees.
 16. An organic debris collection device comprising: ablower unit; a debris collector container; an exhaust conduit having anintake end connected to said blower unit and an exit end connected tosaid debris collector container; a vent between said intake end and saidexit end, said vent being positioned through a lower inner wall of saidexhaust conduit; and a filter device removably secured over said vent toform a substantially air tight fit on said vent.
 17. The organic debriscollection device of claim 16, wherein said collector container isselected from the group consisting of a closed rigid container, a closedsoft container, a vented rigid container, a vented soft container, andany combinations thereof.
 18. The organic debris collection device ofclaim 16, wherein said exhaust conduit comprises a curved section havinga sector angle of between about 40 to about 90 degrees.
 19. The organicdebris collection device of claim 16, wherein said vent comprises a pairof oppositely directed exhaust vents, said filter device comprising apair of filter bags, each of said pair of filter bags being removablysecured over a respective one of said pair of exhaust vents.
 20. Theorganic debris collection device of claim 19, wherein said filter devicefurther comprises one or more elastic members securing said pair offilter bags to one another.
 21. The organic debris collection device ofclaim 16, wherein said vent comprises a pair of oppositely directedexhaust vents, said filter device comprising a cyclone separatorpositioned at each of said pair of exhaust vents.
 22. The organic debriscollection device of claim 21, wherein said cyclone separator comprisesa collection container for collecting separated particles and an outletpipe for venting cleaned air, said collection container being removablysecured to said cyclone separator.